Abstract: The bubble trap is used in extracorporeal blood flow circuits of the type used for open heart surgery. The trap is placed in the external blood flow and it removes small micro bubbles from the blood prior to delivery to the body. The device accelerates the blood flow radially and the small bubbles migrate toward the center of the accelerated flow. These bubbles are concentrated at this location and the blood that contains the micro bubbles is extracted and recirculated before the degassed blood flow is returned to the body.

Abstract: A cyclone separator includes a housing generally symmetric about its central longitudinal axis and an inlet for introduction of a fluid containing dispersed substances. At least a portion of the housing wall is shaped to form a flow rectifier. An outlet for the cleaned fluid comprises a tube through the bottom wall of the housing having an axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis. An outlet for the dispersed substances has the shape of an annular channel in the bottom wall disposed adjacent the tube and adjacent a rotation axis of the fluid whereat high-density substances settle.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone has an inlet head, one or more chambers located beneath the inlet head and terminating in an underflow outlet, a vortex finder located within the inlet head, and an overflow outlet connected to the vortex finder. The overflow outlet has a peripheral annular zone therein that receives coarse particles in the overflow issuing from the vortex finder, and a secondary outlet communicates with the annular zone.

Abstract: A particle separating apparatus is provided with a stock solution feeder (1) for supplying a stock solution containing particles, a bubble generator (2) for generating air bubbles to promote the separation of particles, a first separator (3) for separating the stock solution into a first concentrated solution and a first clear solution, a first discharge passage (4) for discharging the first concentrated solution separated by the first separator (3), a filtering device (5) provided inside the first separator (3) for filtering the particles in the first clear solution, a second separator (6) provided inside the filtering device (5) for separating the first clear solution into a second concentrated solution and a second clear solution, a second discharge passage (22) for discharging the second concentrated solution separated by the second separator (6) to the outside, and a clear solution guide passage (8) for guiding the second clear solution to the outside.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for separating the constituents of a heterogeneous mixture and its uses. Said device comprises a separation chamber (100, 250, 350, 450, 650, 724, 850, 903, 1106) having a one of its ends an inlet and at the other an outlet comprising a first ring-shaped orifice (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810, 919) coaxial with said chamber, and a second ring-shaped orifice (111, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, 811, 920) coaxial with said first ring-shaped orifice and whereof the external diameter is smaller than said first ring-shaped orifice internal diameter. The invention is characterized in that said separation chamber has a cylindrical shape and said first orifice external diameter D1 is smaller than said chamber internal diameter D0. The invention also concerns a method using said device.

Abstract: Process and device for the flotation of contaminates out of an aqueous fibrous suspension using a foam. The process includes creating the foam, introducing the fibrous suspension into the foam, transferring contaminates from the fibrous suspension to the foam, and removing some portion of the fibrous suspension from the foam as an accepted stock. The device includes a liquid containing area, a mechanism for introducing a gas into the liquid containing area, and a mechanism for introducing the fibrous suspension into a foam containing area arranged to be adjacent the liquid containing area.

Abstract: Hydrocyclone and process for removing foreign substances from a liquid to be cleaned. The hydrocyclone includes at least one inlet for the liquid to be cleaned, at least one accepted stock outlet for the cleaned liquid, and at least one reject opening for foreign substances removed from the liquid to be cleaned. The at least one reject opening includes at least one stoppage-hazard zone, and a color layer is coupled to an exterior wall of the hydrocyclone. The color layer changes appearance in accordance with different temperatures. The process includes introducing the liquid to be cleaned into a hydrocyclone through at least one inlet, discharging cleaned liquid from the hydrocyclone through at least one accepted stock outlet, and discharging the foreign substances from the hydrocyclone through at least one reject opening.

Abstract: Connection device and process for connecting a hydrocyclone to a distribution and collection device, in which distribution and collection device includes connection openings for addition or removal of liquid during operation of the hydrocyclone. Connection device includes a pipe piece having an insertion side structured and arranged to be insertable through one of the connection openings into distribution and collection devioce. The insertion side includes a circumferential groove and a radial protrusion positioned adjacent circumferential groove, and radial protrusion has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the one connection opening and is structured to remain within distribution and collection device.

Abstract: A submerged filtering device for separating any mixture of two immiscible fluids having different specific gravities. The filter can be used with either a gravity or pumped in-feed flow, and can be constructed in a range of sizes from easily transportable units to large fixed installations. When separating a mixture of oil and water, the filter operates in an external holding tank of water, which has the higher specific gravity, in which it is nearly entirely submerged. The filter uses a combination of hydro-static pressure and head pressure to exploit the difference in specific gravity of the two fluids, efficiently effecting a separation.

Abstract: A hybrid system for processing papermaking fibers includes a multistage array of forward cleaners coupled with a flotation cell which increases overall efficiency of the system. In a typical embodiment, a first rejects aqueous stream from a first stage bank of centrifugal cleaners is treated in a flotation cell before being fed to a second stage bank of centrifugal cleaners.

Abstract: Screening apparatus is disclosed for separating fiber suspensions comprising a housing having an inlet for the fiber suspension, a stationary tubular screen dividing the interior of the housing into a central chamber for receiving the fiber suspension from the inlet and an outer accept chamber for receiving an accept portion of the fiber suspension which has passed through the stationary tubular screen, a rotor journalled on the housing for rotation within the central chamber coaxially with the stationary tubular screen, the rotor including a rotationally symmetrical element, a reject chamber for receiving a reject portion of the fiber suspension at one end of the stationary tubular screen, and an annular passage for dilution liquid including a stationary annular wall portion juxtaposed with the rotationally symmetrical element of the rotor.

Abstract: A cyclone separator having an improved efficiency to remove a broader spectrum of contained particles is disclosed. The inner wall of the cyclone separator is configured to continuously impart changes in the acceleration of a fluid as it rotates within the cyclone cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides for discharge (exit) ports for exit fluid flow disposed at or adjacent to one another on one end of a vortex separating body; an inlet port(s) disposed at one end of a separating body having discharge (exit) ports for exit fluid flow disposed at or adjacent to one another at an opposite end of the separating body; increased separation efficiency; solid mass separated per unit energy expended; a body that is predominantly cylindrical in shape that can be made inexpensively from standard sizes of pipe or tubing; a device that is predominantly cylindrical in shape so that the separation (vortex) length of the device can be changed simply by installing or removing sections of pipe or tubing; a device which promotes smooth rotational flow within the vortex region, therefore affecting an efficient separation of particles carried by the transporting fluid therein and reducing the pressure and/or energy required to move the fluid through the device; a device with entrance and especially

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a suspension, comprising a collection vessel; and a cyclone fixably received within the collection vessel, the cyclone having an inlet for receiving the suspension, a wall having at least a filter medium for separating the suspension into at least two components, and a lower underflow outlet for dispensing one of the two components, wherein the filter medium is porous and in communication with a catalyst, a hydrophillic, or hydrophobic material.

Abstract: A solids separation system may be used to separate solids, such as cuttings from drilling fluids used in well drilling operations. The system includes a settling tank having transverse baffles defining a fluid receiving chamber, a fluid output chamber and one or more intermediate chambers. Fluid introduced into the fluid receiving chamber can flow in a sinuous path through apertures in the baffles to the fluid output chamber. Solids settle to the bottom of the settling tank. A material conveyor, preferably an auger, extends along a bottom surface of the settling tank to an outlet port in the fluid receiving chamber. A centrifuge is connected to the output port to receive fluid in which solids have been concentrated. Fluid output from the centrifuge is reintroduced into the settling tank. The apparatus and method of the invention permit a single centrifuge to be used to handle a higher volume of fluid than is possible with conventional methods and apparatus. This provides significant cost savings.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator for separating fluids of differing densities comprises a first chamber having a vortex finder and a core member. The vane is arranged co-axial with and adjacent the internal surface of the vortex finder to increase the rotational velocity component of fluids passing through the vortex finder by translating the axial velocity component of the fluids into a rotational velocity component.

Abstract: An opposed-flow virtual cyclone for aerosol collation which can accurately collect, classify, and concentrate (enrich) particles in a specific size range. The opposed-flow virtual cyclone is a variation on the virtual cyclone and has its inherent advantages (no-impact particle separation in a simple geometry), while providing a more robust design for concentrating particles in a flow-through type system. The opposed-flow virtual cyclone consists of two geometrically similar virtual cyclones arranged such that their inlet jets are inwardly directed and symmetrically opposed relative to a plane of symmetry located between the two inlet slits. A top plate bounds both jets on the "top" side of the inlets, while the other or lower wall curves "down" and away from each inlet jet. Each inlet jet will follow the adjacent lower wall as it turns away, and that particles will be transferred away from the wall and towards the symmetry plane by centrifugal action.

Abstract: A method for recovering coal from a mixture containing fine particles of coal, the mixture including fine coal particles, water, and impurities, the method including feeding the mixture to a first liquid/solid separator that removes relatively large pieces of material from the mixture producing a first stream containing recoverable fine coal particles, and pumping the first stream from the first liquid/solid separator to at least one second liquid/solid separator, the at least one second liquid/solid separator separating recoverable fine coal particles from the first stream producing a product flow containing fine coal particles and a discharge stream containing, e.g., water and impurities. In one aspect, the coal in the product flow is then dried and/or pelletized. In one aspect fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of less than 100 microns. In one aspect, fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of at least about 40 microns.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for centrifugal separation of polyamide and polypropylene materials contained in a liquid slurry. The polypropylene material has a specific gravity which is less than the specific gravity of the liquid carrier and the polyamide material has a specific gravity which is greater than the specific gravity of the liquid carrier. A gas, preferably air, is injected into the slurry prior to feeding the slurry to a hydrocyclone.

Abstract: A tubular vortex separator which can be used to separate particulate matter of higher density from fluids. In a preferred embodiment, the vortex separator is generally tubular, simple in design, and economical to produce.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprising a separation barrel with an upper end, a lower end, a central axis, and an internal circularly cylindrical axially extending wall forming a separation chamber, a collection chamber adjacent to the lower end, a spin plate extending across the separation chamber adjacent to the lower end, a solids slot adjacent to the lower end fluidly interconnecting the collection chamber and separation chamber, a closure containing the upper end having a centrally located exit port, an acceptance chamber wall surrounding the separation barrel adjacent to the upper end to form an annular acceptance chamber between the separation barrel and the acceptance chamber wall, a supply nozzle tangentially entering the annular acceptance chamber and forming a circular flow therein, and a plurality of radially spaced apart axially-extending slots passing through the wall of the separation barrel fluidly interconnecting the annular acceptance chamber and the separation chamber, entering the separation c

Abstract: A recovering system includes at least one shale shaker having at least one screen and a hydrocyclone manifold system; a recovery tank having a cavity and a base, the tank having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the recovery tank having at least one agitation system for creating force within the cavity of the recovery tank; and at least one recovery shaker having at least one screen.

Abstract: A large capacity cyclonic separator is used for desanding a conditioned aqueous oil sand slurry comprising aerated bitumen, water and sand to produce pumpable, pipelineable lean froth and sand tailings. The cyclone separator is a vessel which forms an elongated cylindrical separation chamber and has a tangential slurry inlet at one end and, at the opposite end, a peripheral sand removal outlet and a centrally positioned vortex finder. Oil sand slurry is continually tangentially introduced into the cyclone separator to form a rotating vortex, which generates a centrifugal force. The lean froth migrates to the center of the vortex to form an inner core and is removed via the vortex finder. The sand tailings migrate to the outer reaches of the vortex and are co-currently is removed via the sand removal outlet.

Abstract: The conventional infeed head and inverted cone of a Uniflow cleaner are connected by a generally cylindrical channel dam segment which has an annular inwardly extending channel dam. The narrow end of the inverted cone is connected to a separation body through which a vortex finder extends into the inverted cone. The light reject particles are removed from the input flow through the vortex finder. Accepts and heavy rejects flow into an inverted hydrocyclone chamber within the separation body defined between an outer cylindrical ring and an inner cylindrical ring and the vortex finder. An annular heavy rejects chamber is defined exterior to the outer ring, and fluid is drawn off tangentially therefrom. Accepts flow downwardly though the inner ring into a bowl beneath the separation body, where they are removed from an accepts outlet. The cylindrical or concave surfaces of the separation body are economical to manufacture.

Abstract: A skid mounted first and second stage centrifuges, each being provided with an input pump. Drilling mud is delivered to the first pump, the first stage and then into a tank for storing temporarily the liquids separated from the mud. The heavier weight components are segregated, stored and later added back to the liquid discharge of the second stage to provide an output stream of drilling mud having a specified weight for use in drilling. The lighter weight components are removed at the second stage and are discarded to clean the mud. A control system provides for operation and control without overloading.

Abstract: A cyclonic-static micro-bubble flotation apparatus which includes a single unit flotation device having a cyclonic separation unit in the bottom portion of the device and a column flotation portion which includes packing in the upper portion of the flotation device.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing fiber suspensions containing usable fibers and suspended dirt particles to be separated from the usable fibers, the specific weight of the particles differing distinctly from that of the usable fibers, is described. The apparatus comprises a drum-shaped outer housing having (i) and inflow end accommodating a body rotationally symmetric to the housing axis and being provided with a tangential inlet pipe for the fiber suspension to be processed, and (ii) an outflow end being provided with an axial outlet pipe for a lightweight dirt component of the suspension and an outlet pipe for a usable component of the suspension.

Abstract: Fiber-containing stock is fed into a hydrocyclone with a wall structure which generates quasi-laminar flow within the hydrocyclone housing. A piezoelectric oscillator introduces ultrasonic waves into the quasi-laminar flow to achieve high volume separation of heavyweight particles from the acceptable fibers with improved differentiation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of recycled fiber material and/or of the reject fraction discharged from paper mill screening systems of the short circulation of a paper machine, recover fillers as completely as possible and return the fillers back to the process as efficiently and economically as possible. The loss of fiber/mineral discharge as mill rejects from vortex cleaning and filler manufacture is decreased by treating a concentrated mineral fraction of the rejects to disperse the filler-mineral fraction and return the filler back to the paper making process.

Abstract: Hydrocyclones and separator assemblies a wherein the hydrocyclones installed in the separator assemblies by a push fit and are under no lateral tensile or compressive stress. The body has an interior defined by an axially-extending frusto-conical separating chamber which extends from an inlet chamber nearer an overflow end to an underflow outlet opening at an underflow end. The body also has a tangential inlet to the inlet chamber. A tubular vortex finder member fits through the overflow end of the body into a cooperating seat therein and is snap fitted in the body. The vortex-finder member is seated in a predetermined position in which a portion thereof extends through the inlet chamber to define the axial overflow outlet from the separating chamber, said portion having a helical guide surface to guide the inlet flow from the tangential inlet towards the separating chamber.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the separation of mixtures of plastics, contaminated with, among other things, mineral heavy materials such as e.g. sand or metal refuse. Separation occurs according to density in a separating liquid in the centrifugal field of the rotating suspension. The present invention provides the connection of a hydrocyclone before a separating centrifuge. The mineral heavy materials are separated in advance in the hydrocyclone and the plastic mixture is further separated in the centrifuge. Wear on components of the separating centrifuge caused by these heavy materials can be avoided, and in some applications a second separating stage at a higher separation density can be eliminated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating drilling mud discharged from a well wherein the mud contains drill cuttings and paramagnetic materials such as hematite. The drilling mud is first passed through a high-gradient magnetic separator to separate the paramagnetic materials from the drilling mud. The drilling mud is then passed through a centrifuge separator to remove the drill cuttings from the drilling mud.

Abstract: The centrifugal cleaner of this invention is of the type having an inverted cylindrical cone, with a tangential inlet at the top and an outlet at the bottom. The improvement consists of placing a ring or flow smoothing means on the inside surface of the cylindrical cone about one-half the diameter of the base of the cone down from the inlet. The ring forces the stock injected into the centrifugal cleaner to flow towards the axis of the cone away from the inside cone wall. Once the stock passes over the dam it once again flows to the inner wall of the cone. The stock, in being forced to flow over the ring, is made uniform, eliminating spiraling of the flow which has been found to decrease the efficiency with which separation within the cleaner is accomplished.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering polyhydroxyalkanoate from a biological source material containing the polyhydroxyalkanoate, the process comprising: a) comminuting the biological source material; b) suspending the comminuted biological source material in a fluid; c) partitioning the polyhydroxyalkanoate from the other components of the biological source material by centrifugal fractionation to form a solid-solid separation; and d) recovering the polyhdroxyalkanoate.

Abstract: An apparatus (310) for extracting impurities from a pulpous slurry. The apparatus has an auxiliary chamber (13) having an upper chamber (313) and a hydrocyclone (311) for further extracting impurities from the pulpous slurry. A conduit (58) returns a selected portion of the pulpous slurry back to a separation chamber for further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating relatively light fractions from relatively dense fractions in a pulp suspension. The apparatus has a tubular housing of circular cross section defining a separation chamber extending longitudinally from an inlet end to an outlet end, with an inlet at the inlet end for tangentially introducing a flow of the pulp suspension into the housing for vortical flow along the length of the separation chamber towards the outlet. The vortical flow effects a separation of the relatively light fraction from the relatively dense fraction. The housing has at least two outlets at the outlet end, one outlet being positioned to accommodate an exiting flow of the relatively light fraction and the other outlet being positioned to accommodate an exiting flow of the relatively dense fraction. The diameter of the separation chamber at an intermediate region along its length is enlarged in comparison to its diameter at the inlet and outlet ends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering polyhydroxyalkanoate from biological source material containing the polyhydroxyalkanoate, the process comprising: a) comminuting the biological source material; b) suspending the comminuted biological source material in a fluid; c) partitioning the polyhydroxyalkanoate from the other components of the biological source material by centrifugal fractionation to from a solid-solid separation; and d) recovering the polyhydroxyalkanoate.

Abstract: Method and device for separating a fine-grained solid material into a fines fraction and a coarse fraction at a cut point size of below 50 .mu.m, preferably below approx. 10 .mu.m. The fine-grained solid is dispersed in a liquid capable of forming drops and this dispersion is forced into a defined sink flow with a superimposed rotational flow that is generated independently from the jink flow. The relationship between the two rates, namely the sink flow rate and the rotational flow rate, is dictated by the cut point size. The device includes a deflector wheel which has a direction of flow from the outside to the inside, and vanes are fitted in the wheel parallel to its rotational axis to form flow channels, whereby the feed dispersion is charged to the deflector wheel at its outer periphery.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube having an indexing tab or indentation on a flange surrounding the tube to establish rotational orientation of the tube with respect to the cavity of a centrifuge.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a suspension, comprising a collection vessel; and a cyclone fixably received within the collection vessel, the cyclone having an inlet for receiving the suspension, a wall having at least a porous section for separating the suspension into at least two components, and a lower underflow outlet for dispensing one of the two components, wherein the other of the two components is received by said collection vessel.

Abstract: A cast iron hydrocyclone (1,21) made of separate parts joined together, wherein at least two of the parts (2,3; 22,23) are held together by a pair of separate collars (7,8; 26,28) connected to one another, each collar being anchored to one or the other of the parts. The parts may be so anchored by bearing against an anchor provided on the parts.

Abstract: Pollution separator and purifier apparatus (10) for at least one fluid mixture comprises: an inlet member (14) for admitting the fluid mixture to be treated into a stationary cylindrical body (12); a rotor mounted in the cylindrical body (12) and having a stack of at least two plates (18) with openings, cooperating with means that generate a pressure drop in the top portion of the apparatus and generating upward helical motion in the mixture to be treated; a hopper (22) for collecting the heavy phase, connected to the cylindrical body (12) beneath the rotor (16) and provided with forced evacuation means (24); and an extractor member (26) for extracting the treated mixture, and connected to the cylindrical body (12) above the rotor (16).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for separation of fine particles in a bimodal (two component) dense medium. In accordance with the present invention, the dense medium comprises ferromagnetic particles that have a relative density range from about 4.0 to 7.0 suspended in water and are characterized by a bimodal size distribution. Such a medium exhibits high stability and favourable rheological properties. The use of such a bimodal magnetite dense medium in cleaning fine coal in a dense medium cyclone or dynamic dense medium separator results in optimum separation efficiency when the medium contains approximately 20-40% fine and 60-80% coarse magnetite, and when the size ratio of coarse-to-fine magnetite is in the range of 5 to 10.

Abstract: An apparatus (110) for extracting impurities from a pulpous slurry. The apparatus has a housing (111) and an auxiliary chamber (113). The housing has a separation chamber (127) having stack of disks (159) spaced from each other so as to form channels (172) therebetween. The disks are mounted to a drive shaft (160) which is rotatably driven by a motor (161). The action of the rotating disks cause impurities to be projected to the outermost portion of the separation chamber while the desired pulpous fibers pass between through the channel to an accept tube (193) for collection.

Abstract: A description is given of a method for treating wash water originating from the washing of sugar beets. This wash water essentially comprises water, sand, sludge and sugar beet particles. The wash water is subjected to a treatment in a cyclone, in which the sand is separated from the wash water, followed by a screen treatment, in which the sugar beet particles are separated from the wash water.

Abstract: An apparatus for selective particle flotation includes a static mixer connected to a flotation section in lieu thereof of the apparatus. The static mixer is disposed upstream of the flotation section in lieu thereof with respect to a direction of fluid flow through the apparatus. The static mixer mixes sludge with small gas bubbles. A flotation cyclone is disposed in an upstream portion of the flotation section in lieu thereof with respect to the direction of fluid flow through the apparatus. The flotation cyclone is the initial separation device through which the sludge flows.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone for separating lightweight contaminants from a suspension of papermakers'stock as a through-flow design in which an inlet section has a frusto-conical flow controlling wall and has a central flow stabilizer and a tangential inlet. The flow stabilizer has a paraboloid shape and defines with the flow control wall an annular flow space of constant area along the axial length of the flow stabilizer so that fluid entering a tangential inlet at the base of the paraboloid is caused to rotate about the flow stabilizer and is delivered to the interior of the hydrocyclone without a substantial change in axial velocity.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the separation of solid matter via flotation. The flotation process for the separation of solid matter from a suspension takes place via the utilization of centrifugal forces wherein the suspension is brought into rotation in a separating zone so that the floated components are particularly effectively routed to and concentrated at the center of the separating space, whereby, when viewed axially, floated components and the remaining portion of the suspension is guided in the same direction and out of the separating zone, with the avoidance of vortexes in the flow stream achieving particularly favorable separation effects. In addition, several apparatuses, for carrying out the process, are also set forth.

Abstract: The cell 1 includes an upper cylindrical chamber 2 comprising at its center over its entire height a vertical ink removal pipe 4. A lower lateral pipe 9 receives via an opening 10 a paper pulp feed diluted in water and is fed with air from an upper pipe 12. Injectors placed on the pipe 9 inject the paper pulp and air into the chamber 2. Each injector has the shape of a tube with a constant diameter and opens at its outlet extremity through about twelve honeycomb-shaped orifices, thus ensuring a satisfactory dispersion of the air. The air bubbles lift up the ink particles so as to form a foam evacuated by the pipe 4.

Abstract: A method of separating the constituents of a fluid where the constituents have different physical characteristics including mass, weight, coefficient of friction and the like. The method comprising impeding the flow of the fluid for causing the fluid to move in a curvilinear path. By moving in a curvilinear path, the fluid is effected by centrifugal forces. The centrifugal forces cause the separation of the constituents of the fluid. Further, the effected fluid is slowed for further enhancing separation of the constituents of the fluid.